Deferribacter desulfuricans SSM1

Deferribacter desulfuricans (strain DSM 14783 / JCM 11476 / NBRC 101012 / SSM1) is a strictly anaerobic, thermophilic, sulphur-reducing Gram-negative bacterium isolated froma deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimney at the Suiyo Seamount in the Izu-Bonin Arc, Japan. D. desulfuricans grows heterotrophically using a variety of organic acids (formate, acetate, propionate, pyruvate, and lactate) with nitrate, arsenate or sulfur as a primary electron acceptor. These organic acids could be utilized as energy and carbon sources via the oxidative tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. Growth is observed between 40 and 70 degrees Celsius with an optimum temperature between 60 and 65 degrees Celsius and between pH 5.0 and 7.5 with an optimum pH 6.5. Many genes encoded in the genome are most similar to the genes of sulphur- or sulphate-reducing bacterial species. The central metabolisms showed a heterotrophic lifestyle primarily driven by C1 to C3 organics, e.g. formate, acetate, and pyruvate, and also suggested that the inability of autotrophy via a reductive tricarboxylic acid cycle may be due to the lack of ATP-dependent citrate lyase. In addition, the genome encodes numerous genes for chemoreceptors, chemotaxis-like systems, and signal transduction machineries. These signalling networks may be linked to this bacterium's versatile energy metabolisms and may provide ecophysiological advantages for D. desulfuricans SSM1 thriving in the physically and chemically fluctuating environments near hydrothermal vents. (Adapted from PMID: 20189949 and 12807210). (EBI Integr8)